£5,000 - £8,000
WWII/MILITARIA: Rare Hiroshima Atomic Blast Melted Traditional 24 oz Green Glass Shihebin 四合瓶 (Sake Bottle)
This vitrified, yet fully intact green glass sake bottle, a traditional 24oz "shihebin" (四合瓶 in Japanese), is usually seen only in museums and is one of the most sought-after relics from the world’s first use of an atomic weapon in combat. The catastrophic destruction of Hiroshima City, the capital of Hiroshima Prefecture, by the United States on August 6th, 1945, began a new type of warfare on a very different scale.
Historical and Scientific Significance
At exactly 8:15 a.m. local time on a clear, blue morning, the bomb code-named Little Boy, released from the Boeing B-29 Superfortress bomber Enola Gay 43 seconds earlier, exploded at an altitude of 1,968 feet above Shima Hospital, now the location of Shima Clinic. This bomb, the only uranium-235 bomb detonated in history (the Trinity test, Nagasaki, USSR’s “Joe-1,” and all others were plutonium bombs), unleashed a blinding destructive explosion equivalent to over 15,000 tons of conventional TNT. This was the most powerful explosion ever created by man up to that point. Witnesses compared it to burning magnesium, which produces an intense white light. It was so bright that many people reported seeing the bones in their hands when covering their eyes. Although the thermal energy affected materials for only a brief time (largely within 1/100th of a second to perhaps 1.3 seconds, and up to three seconds in all), its impact was physically profound and significant, changing the textures of materials within its reach. The surface alteration by gamma, neutron and thermal radiation, vitrifying glass, stone, brick and even distorting iron, is the hallmark of these weapons. The initial flash and fireball were followed by a severe blast wave expanding at nearly 1,000 MPH with overpressures estimated at 1,200 pounds psi, combining to demolish almost everything. Iron, roof tiles, and bottles, including this artefact, were melted in these three seconds to varying degrees, depending on their distance from the hypocenter. Thermal effects were observed up to 3,200 feet from Zero Ground. A granite tombstone located 1,970 feet away exhibited ruffled and bubbled glass-like surfaces from exposure to thermal radiation at 3,300°F for three seconds. Similarly, roof tiles found 2,400 feet away from the hypocenter exhibited rough, burnt surfaces requiring temperatures of 2,300°F to form.
Unique Features
This atom-blasted bottle is more than just a relic from the first atomic bomb; it bears poignant physical testimony to one of the most pivotal moments in human history, carrying with it the stories and memories of that terrible event. It serves as a stark reminder of the devastating power of nuclear weapons. Of all the artefacts, including roof tiles, window glass, metal, and other materials, an unbroken sake bottle is the ultimate item next to a pocket watch.
Whether you are a collector of military or historical artefacts, a student of World War II or science, or someone who values the global significance of this event, this is a unique opportunity to acquire a rare artefact from this key moment in world history. With the 80th year since the bombing being observed this August, the recent Oscar-winning film "Oppenheimer," the upcoming James Cameron film "Last Train from Hiroshima," and the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize going to The Hibakusha (Nihon Hidankyo), this is a most auspicious time to acquire this highly desirable atomic artefact.
A Note Regarding This Artefact:
This artefact is not radioactive and presents no danger at all due to the Hiroshima blast being an airburst. The vast majority of fission byproducts were dispersed into the atmosphere. Most artefacts from either bombing often only show normal background radiation. With thanks to Eric Keith Longo Hiroshima Historian for additional research and advice.
Fees apply to the hammer price:
Free Registration
30% inc VAT*
Flat Fee Registration
26.40% inc VAT*
